In the 100-days since Newtown, more than 3,000 Americans have been killed by gun violence. On May 23, 2013, we will surpass the number of American casualties in the Iraqi war. By the time the 2014 Congressional Elections (November 4, 2014) roll around, the death toll will have risen to 17,700 of our family, friends and neighbors.

Even if you accept the NRA‘s position that going against the gun lobby is political suicide (and I don’t), isn’t voting ‘Yes‘ for the Assault Weapons ban more important than getting re-elected?

MONUMENT, Colo. — Colorado’s top state prison official was shot and killed when he answered the front door of his house…, setting off a hunt for the shooter and raising questions about whether the attack had anything to do with his job…The killing stunned officials in both states.

“Tom Clements dedicated his life to being a public servant, to making our state a better place and he is going to be deeply, deeply missed,” said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, who planned to go to Monument to meet with Clements’ family after signing gun-control bills….

Clements, was married with two daughters and described as dedicated, funny, caring and an expert on the latest and best methods in his field who chose the Colorado job over retirement.

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About dan4kent

Born and raised in the Midwest, Dan lives in the Chicagoland area. With a grown son from a previous marriage, he has since built a committed relationship of 34 years with his partner Rick, the Love of his Life. Having written his whole life, he blogged the past 7-years because he has to write…he can’t help it. Know the feeling? There’s ‘good‘ to be found in all of it.
“If all I do is leave someone (or something) better than I found them, then I’ve done my part. Thanks for letting me grace your screen, if only for a little while.”

18 Responses to ASSAULT INDEED

Seeing the faces of those little children killed at Newtown breaks my heart. I realize there is not even a clear definition of what an assault weapon is, but clearly there are weapons that should be restricted. Schools are no longer safe. All of the instructors where I teach must attend classes on recognizing and responding to threatening behavior. We must plan on our response now because these attacks at schools can happen anywhere anytime. And as much as I think restrictions on gun ownership can help, I think the problem of violence in our society is much deeper. We have to address that as well.

I second your emotion — all of them. So much work to be done. The struggle is worth our best efforts whether that leads us to a PTA meeting or a food pantry. The ‘common good’ matters. Thanks for adding your voice to the conversation. Dan

I’m curious as to where themunz gets his data from. We have criminals in every country in the world, they will always have guns, and yet there’s less violence in other countries. There’s an element which is not addressed here, and it’s the love affair that Americans have with guns.

Good point too. I have relatives that put a lot of value in their gun ownership…but not one of them has an AR-15. I’m working on why the uber-weapon is so coveted. Will keep you posted on my percolation. Dan

Thank you. This whole topic has got me wrestling with what is really important and how this problem is addressed elsewhere. The fact that we’re talking about it is important. We all get there together. Dan

Until the American psyche changes, guns are going to stay. It’s beyond logic, beyond common sense, it’s like a religious belief that’s ingrained, without ever doubting the veracity of it. How sad for us.

I think you’re onto something when I look at gun-related death statistics in Great Britain, Japan or even in Russia. Are the humans living there that different than the ones living here in the U.S.? We’re missing something. Dan

Some regs have to do with the equipment while some speak to managing the ‘operator’. I concur. I need to register to vote and I need a license to drive. Why is it such a leap to think society have expectations as to who can purchase a gun – in a store or at a gun show? This one speaks to who we are as a people. We’ll see how this unfolds. Dan

Most of the gun violence is in the large cities where guns are prohibited. In other words only the criminals get them. Gun laws only prohibit possession on the lawful owners, criminals will acquire them and use them unlawfully against unarmed people.

Every time gun ownership is limited, violence increases and more people become victims because criminals have the advantage. It is just the facts.

I would like to add my two cents to this comment, themunz. Yes, it’s true that there is a lot of gun violence in big cities (larger population + more crime = more violence). But guns are not “prohibited” in most large cities. There might be more gun control laws in place than in rural areas, but the simple equation still stands. There are more individual shootings because there are more individuals. But most mass shootings–where a lone gunman gets a huge arsenal of automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and turns them on dozens of people–take place in more rural/suburban areas. That’s a fact. Columbine. Newtown. Aurora. Dunblaine in Scotland. Those are just the ones I can name off the top of my head. No one needs to possess a weapon whose sole purpose is to kill a whole lot of people really quickly; isn’t that why they’re called “assault rifles”?

(Sorry to Dan for bogarting someone else’s comment. Sorry to themunz for going off on you a little bit. You’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m glad you shared it. But this whole thing gets me rather upset.)

Understood. Glad to have your voice join in. The good news is that for having the conversation, ‘reality’ gets sorted out and solutions emerge. At least that’s what I’m working towards. Too much dying in too many places for too little reason. Dan

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